Closed
Source verified July 6, 2026
Accelerating to Zero Grant Program
Community-driven climate action funding
Latest source updateLast Update: April 19, 2026Latest change: The Acceleration Stream spring intake is now marked closed, while the April 24 full application deadline remains visible.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 19, 2026
Latest change: The Acceleration Stream spring intake is now marked closed, while the April 24 full application deadline remains visible.
Acceleration Stream Spring Intake Closed
The grant page now marks the Acceleration Stream spring intake as closed, and the spring expression of interest deadline is no longer shown. The full application deadline for April 24 remains visible, while the rest of the program details appear unchanged.
Funding available
$ 75,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
HCi3 supports community-driven climate action projects in Halifax/Kjipuktuk, with funding for organizations and companies in Nova Scotia focused on net-zero transition and social equity. Eligible projects include low-carbon housing, community-based renewable energy, and shared or electric transportation initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Reduce environmental footprint
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 75,000 $
- Up to 80% of project cost
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Canadians
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Environment
- Economic, Social and Community Development
- Housing
- Employment and Training
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Indigenous peoples
- Rural / Remote communities
- Nonprofits / charities
- Community leaders
- Low-income individuals / families
- Minority groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- Local
- Regional
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Low-carbon housing projects, including building retrofits, net-zero new construction, workforce development, and capacity development.
- Community-based renewable energy projects.
- Shared and electric transportation projects, including e-bikes and car sharing.
- Projects outside these categories with significant potential to reduce GHG emissions.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Organizations and companies
- Applicants based in or actively engaged in Nova Scotia
Who is not eligible
- Individuals
- Individual schools or classrooms
- Provincially owned entities, including crown corporations
- Political parties
Eligible expenses
- Personnel salaries directly related to the project, provided they are an auditable expense.
- In-kind contributions such as salaries, if they are directly related to the project.
- Non-cash contributions used as matching funds.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Redistribution of funding as grants or rebates to other organizations.
- Start up costs, restructuring costs, or organizational administration costs beyond reasonable overhead costs associated with direct project delivery.
- Singular installations such as rooftop solar, building retrofits, or new building projects without a broader strategy for demographic or sector-wide scaling.
- Ongoing operational costs for electric vehicle charging infrastructure, transit, or shared-mobility services, unless these represent an essential part of a new pilot project.
Eligible geographic areas
- Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM)
Selection criteria
- Priority is placed on supporting initiatives to scale up and accelerate their impact.
- Projects led by or significantly involving First Nations or African Nova Scotian communities may be considered outside of HRM if they offer meaningful benefits to HRM.
How to apply
- Fill out an online expression of interest form.
- If your EOI is approved, submit a full proposal and budget.
Processing and Agreement
- Expressions of interest are reviewed first.
- Acceleration applicants whose EOI is approved are invited to submit a full proposal and budget.
- A review committee may assess the Acceleration application and offer constructive feedback for clarification or refinement.
- After any requested changes, HCi3 makes a funding decision.
- Catalyst applications receive a funding decision within two weeks of application submission.
Additional information
- Projects led by or significantly involving First Nations or African Nova Scotian communities may be considered outside of HRM if they offer meaningful benefits to HRM.
- For the Acceleration Stream, the Spring Intake is closed, with full applications due April 24, 2026.
- For the Acceleration Stream, the Fall Intake has an expression of interest due October 5, 2026 and a full application due November 2, 2026.
- Catalyst applications are accepted throughout the year until funds are allocated.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Accelerating to Zero Grant Program Program
What is the Accelerating to Zero Grant Program?
HCi3 supports community-driven climate action projects in Halifax/Kjipuktuk, with funding for organizations and companies in Nova Scotia focused on net-zero transition and social equity. Eligible projects include low-carbon housing, community-based renewable energy, and shared or electric transportation initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
How much funding can be received?
Accelerating to Zero Grant Program Funds up to 80% of admissible expenses, capped at $75,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Accelerating to Zero Grant Program program?
To be eligible for the Accelerating to Zero Grant Program program, you must:
Based in or engaged in Nova Scotia
Project reduces greenhouse gases
Project has community benefits
What expenses are eligible under Accelerating to Zero Grant Program?
Low-carbon housing projects, including building retrofits, net-zero new construction, workforce development, and capacity development.
Community-based renewable energy projects.
Shared and electric transportation projects, including e-bikes and car sharing.
Projects outside these categories with significant potential to reduce GHG emissions.
Who can I contact for more information about the Accelerating to Zero Grant Program?
You can contact Halifax Climate Investment, Innovation and Impact Fund (HCi3).
Where is the Accelerating to Zero Grant Program available?
The Accelerating to Zero Grant Program program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the Accelerating to Zero Grant Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Accelerating to Zero Grant Program is a Grant and Funding